Top lightweight contender Dustin Poirier restarted calls for the 165lb division. “The Diamond” has fought the majority of his UFC career at 145lbs. However, in 2017 he jumped up to 155lbs and has enjoyed a lot of success. The 30-year-old fighter holds high profile wins over Anthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez and Max Holloway x2. His calls for a new division come just days after he spoke about moving to 170lbs to fight fan favourite Nate Diaz. Now he wants the UFC to find some middle ground to stop fighters cutting excessive weight to fight. Speaking on social media he said.
“We should have a weight class between 155 and 170”
“162lbs or 165lbs would be perfect. I’d never cut to 155 ever again”
Lightweight and welterweight are the most stacked division in the sport right now. But with the 15lb weight gap between the two you have a bunch of fighters stuck in no mans land. Too big to comfortably make 155lbs, but not quite big enough to compete with the top guys at 170lbs.
In 2019 calls for a middle ground gathered pace as various fighters campaigned for a new 165lb division. Unfortunately, the UFC have shown zero interest in making this happen anytime soon. The fear from the company is that by taking fighters away from each division, you weaken lightweight and welterweight. So instead of having two great weight classes you have three average ones. Dana White has also spoke about disliking the idea, as some fighters will jump up or down in weight if they aren’t good enough to win a title in the division, they currently compete in.
The UFC and White may need to re-think their stance in the very near future. If fighters join Poirier by bringing calls for 165lb division into the new decade, it will be just a matter of time before the promotion caves.
Do you agree with Dustin Porier that UFC need to add a 165lb division?
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